System and method for electronically managing medical data files

1. A network server arrangement, comprising:

a) a processor;

b) a machine readable storage encoded with software for execution by the processor for managing the operation of the network server arrangement, the network server arrangement storing in the machine readable storage a plurality of medical records, each record containing medical information about a respective individual, the network server arrangement being operative for:

i) performing an update of a particular medical record when new medical information becomes available for the individual associated with the particular medical record, the performing including:

(1) receiving from a remote network node data conveying the new medical information;

(2) storing the data in the machine readable storage in the particular medical record;

ii) in response to authentication information sent from a wireless cellular telephone of the individual associated with the particular medical record, outputting data conveying at least a portion of the new medical information for transmission to the wireless cellular telephone of the individual.

2. A network server arrangement as defined in claim 1 , wherein the new medical information for transmission to the wireless cellular telephone of the individual includes a pointer to a network location remote from the network server arrangement containing medical information about the individual that can be downloaded to and viewed on the wireless cellular telephone.

3. A network server arrangement, comprising:

a) a processor;

b) a machine readable storage encoded with software for execution by the processor to service a request by a workstation client that is physically remote from the network server and communicates with the network server via a data network;

c) the network server arrangement being responsive to a request by the client to access a medical record of an individual, for:

i) generating a response to the client, the response including summary medical record data which contains:

(1) a summary information component, the summary information component including a plurality of data elements associated with the individual at least one of the data elements conveying medical information about the individual;

(2) a pointers component including at least one pointer that points to a network location containing importable medical information in connection with the individual that is not contained in the summary portion, the pointer including:

(a) a machine readable address part for processing by the client, to allow the client to import the medical information from the network location;

(b) a label part for displaying to a user at the client the nature of the medical information residing at the network location;

d) wherein the machine readable storage is a first machine readable storage and the network server arrangement stores medical records for a plurality of individuals;

e) the network server arrangement being operative for:

i) establishing a communication session with a wireless cellular telephone of a user that has a medical record stored in the network server for updating medical information about the user stored on the wireless cellular telephone, the network server communicating with the wireless cellular telephone over a data pathway, at least a segment of the data pathway being wireless;

ii) identifying among the plurality of medical records the particular medical record of the user of the wireless cellular telephone;

iii) extracting medical data from the particular medical record of the user and sending the data to the wireless cellular telephone for storage in the wireless cellular telephone.

4. A network server arrangement as defined in claim 3 , wherein the label part conveys to the user that the medical information includes medical imaging information.

5. A network server arrangement as defined in claim 4 , wherein the label part conveys to the user that the medical information is an x-ray of the individual.

6. A network server arrangement as defined in claim 3 , wherein the label part conveys to the user that the medical information is a CT scan of the individual.

7. A network server arrangement as defined in claim 3 , wherein the label part conveys to the user that the medical information is an electrocardiogram of the individual.

8. A network server arrangement as defined in claim 3 , wherein the label part conveys to the user that the medical information is an x-ray of the individual.

9. A network server arrangement as defined in claim 3 , wherein the label part conveys to the user that the medical information is a coronarography of the individual.

10. A network server arrangement as defined in claim 3 , wherein the label part conveys results of an allergy test performed on the individual.

11. A network server arrangement as defined in claim 3 , wherein the label part conveys to the user that the medical information is an electrocardiogram and that it is the most recent electrocardiogram.

12. A network server arrangement as defined in claim 3 , wherein the label part conveys to the user that the medical information is an electrocardiogram and that it is not the most recent electrocardiogram.

13. A network server arrangement as defined in claim 3 , wherein the label part conveys to the user that the medical information is not the most recent medical information.

14. A network server arrangement as defined in claim 3 , wherein the label part contains text.

15. A network server arrangement as defined in claim 14 , wherein the label part textually describes the nature of the medical information.

16. A network server arrangement as defined in claim 3 , wherein the label part conveys to the user a code describing a treatment administered to the individual.

17. A network server arrangement as defined in claim 3 , wherein the label part conveys to the user a result of a test administered to the individual.

18. A network server arrangement as defined in claim 3 , wherein the at least one pointer includes a hyperlink.

19. A network location as defined in claim 3 , wherein the pointers component includes a plurality of pointers pointing to different locations in the network.

20. A network server arrangement, comprising:

a. a processor;

b. a machine readable storage encoded with software for execution by the processor for managing the operation of the server, the server storing in the machine readable storage a plurality of medical records each medical record containing medical information about a respective individual, the network server arrangement being operative for:

i. performing an update of a particular medical record when new medical information becomes available for the individual associated with the particular medical record, the performing including:

1. receiving from a remote network node data conveying the new medical information;

2. storing the data in the machine readable storage;

3. establishing a communication session with a wireless mobile communication device via a data pathway to send to the wireless mobile communication device data in relation to the new medical information, the data in relation to the new medical information includes a pointer to a network location remote from the network server arrangement containing medical information about the individual that can be downloaded to and viewed on the wireless cellular telephone.